Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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876. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports in place for societies at third level institutions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35708/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Student societies are an important part of the third level experience for students, and as such, I support any measures by Higher Education Institutions to expand access to them, and to put them at the heart of campus life. The Deputy will be aware that the Universities Act 1997 confers autonomy on universities in relation to their internal operations, including administrative processes, academic and operational affairs, and the internal allocation of funding. My Department does not play a role in the funding of individual student societies and, accordingly, it would not be best placed to advise on what supports might be available to a particular society.

The University of Galway supports student societies through the student levy. This levy, which was €140 in the 2023/24 academic year, is payable by all students and supports a range of activities including the Students’ Union, sports clubs, and societies.

In 2024, following a request from students, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) convened a working group to examine how students are consulted and engaged in relation to student services and the transparency and visibility of reporting on student services expenditure and the student levy. The HEA report, which reflects key themes and trends based on information provided by 17 HEIs, captures the diverse practices in place across the sector. The report is expected to be published in August 2025.

Good practice ensures that students – often through Students’ Union representation on governance committees – have oversight of student services and student levy expenditure, and that such expenditure is made visible through mechanisms such as annual reporting.